My puddle ducks!

[AshieMoore]

Going out on a limb by requesting people to critique. This is a photo I took of my girls playing in puddles one day. It is actually one of my favorites of the session; although, I do wish I had gotten some more room under their boots.

Camera: Canon Rebel XSi
Aperture: f/4
Shutter speed: 1/125
ISO: 200
Metering Mode: I have no idea; I was just guessing at exposure then. Totally new to this whole thing.
Focal Length: Somewhere around 200 mm (not sure of the exact number, or how to find it).

Sorry I don't have all the info. I am pretty new to the whole manual mode thing as well as the DSLR. Can anyone tell me how to find this info? Back to the picture; I did boost the color a little in camera RAW as well as fix the white balance a little. Not much else though; I was pretty happy with it. What do you all think? Thanks in advance for your help!

[Henry Wilt]

I am new to this whole thing also so please take my comments with a pinch of salt as I am certainly no expert. That said, I agree with you, I think that a bit more of the puddle would improve it. Also, I find myself wanting to be able to see what the little girl on the right is doing, her hand suggests she is up to something. That is distracting me away from the other little girl playing in the puddle which is a shame as she is so cute.

[AshieMoore]

Thanks for your input. Leaving her sister out was done on purpose as these were part of her 18 month pictures. I can see how it could be distracting though. I appreciate your thoughts!

[Vagebond]

Hi AshieMoore,
I wouldn't dare critique, I'm not yet experienced enough in post processing to help you fix anything, but I do know that I like the half sister in the picture

You asked about finding EXIF data. I don't use Photoshop myself, but there has to be a way to view file information. I'm willing to bet that if you right-click on the image, or a thumbnail of the image, there will be an option to view image info. If not you may have to look it up in Photoshop help, but I guarantee you it's there.
And if that doesn't work there's always Windows Explorer. Navigate to the folder, right-click on the file and click on Properties, then the Summary tab (not sure of the name, translating from a foreign version of Windows) and then the Advanced button.

[AshieMoore]

I appreciate your opinion! Thanks for the info about the EXIF info; I will have to look next time I'm in photoshop.

[SusanH1970]

Nice job of getting down to the little one's level! I'd have taken one big step back (or zoomed out a bit) though, to avoid chopping the boots and including a little more of the puddle. I like that you can only see the bottom half of the older child, it adds to the creativity and story of the shot. It could stand for a touch of brightening, though, the face of the little one is a bit dark - and maybe a tweak in color, I'm seeing a little orange in her skin.

ETA: I checked your EXIF:

1/125
F/5
ISO 400
116mm
Spot metering

What area did you meter off?

[AshieMoore]

Thanks for the input! At the time it was taken I didn't even know how to meter; I have since learned how (wish I would have learned sooner)! I do use my meter button as my auto focus though, so it would have been metering on my youngest somewhere. Sorry I am still kind of ignorant about it all! Colors look ok on my monitor, but I don't have a calibrator and I haven't printed them out. Guess I should try that and see if my monitor is very far off.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by AshieMoore

I do use my meter button as my auto focus though, so it would have been metering on my youngest somewhere.

Gotcha - if I'm not using a grey card for exposure (I usually do) and I decide to spot meter instead, I spot meter off my subject's cheek, set my exposure (and have a tendency to ETTR, lol), then focus on the eyes of the subject. Hope this helps.

[AshieMoore]

Thanks for the advice! I have found metering to be super helpful and easy! I had never really thought about what part of the person to meter off of, but after seeing you reply the cheek would make sense. I'll have to start trying that and see what happens.

[wal]

I dont need to comment on the colors, its been well said. Just wanted to tell the composition is very nice. Love the way the other child on the right helps balance this shot and makes it more interesting. Big sis is just curious on "why on earth is little sis so amazed by that puddle.."